SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -- The one constant thing during the 23rd-ranked South Dakota Women's Basketball Team's eight-game winning streak has been defense. On Thursday, the Coyotes (12-1) used its scrappy and aggressive defense to pick up a 71-52 nonconference decision over Dakota State (7-7) at the Sioux Valley Clinic Basketball Classic at the Elmen Center in Sioux Falls, S.D.

The Coyotes improved to 12-1 on the season with its eighth straight victory. The Coyotes' start this season is the best since the 2003-04 squad opened 15-1. For the seventh time in eight games, USD held its opponent to 55 points or less. How important was defense? The Coyotes forced Dakota State in 28 turnovers which produced a 37-20 advantage in points off turnovers.

Sophomore forward Bridget Yoerger (Hinton, Iowa) led the Coyotes with 18 points and nine rebounds. She reached double figures in scoring for the 10th time this season and for the sixth straight game. Yoerger hit 7-of-13 shots from the field and also had two steals in 20 minutes of action. She was joined in double figures by junior forward Ashley Robinette (South Sioux City, Neb.), who had 10 points and reached double figures for the 33rd time of her career. Junior guard Ashley Bjorkman (Vermillion, S.D.) also had 10 points while grabbing four rebounds and dishing out two assists. Point guard Shannon Daly (Groton, S.D.) had six rebounds, four steals, four points and two assists. Sophomore forward Maggie Youngberg (Yankton, S.D.) had a career-high nine points.

The Coyotes hit 25-of-63 shots from the field for 39.7 percent. However, USD struggled from three-point range by making just 3-of-17 shots for a season-low of 17.6 percent. South Dakota made 18-of-19 free throws for 94.7 percent.

Dakota State, ranked 18th in NAIA, hit 19-of-49 field goals for 38.8 percent, including just 3-of-9 from three point range. DSU made 11-of-14 free throws for 78.6 percent. DSU was led by Laura Tewes with 13 points and six rebounds. Sara Nelson had 10 points.

Dakota State jumped to a 4-0 lead at the 19:14 mark but the lead was short-lived as South Dakota went on a 16-0 run. After Bjorkman hit three free throws after being fouled on a three-point shot, USD led 16-4 at the 15:26 mark of the first half. During that run, Yoerger scored eight points.

The Coyotes continued to build on the lead, opening up a 26-9 lead at the 11:17 mark after Jeana Hoffman (Mitchell, S.D.) scored on a lay-up off a feed from her sister Jenna. In the opening 8:33, USD hit 9-of-11 field goals for 81.8 percent. However, things changed dramatically over the final 11 minutes of the half. USD made just two field goals in its final 18 attempts and saw its lead dwindle to 31-23 with less than 30 seconds in the half. A steal and lay-up by Daly built the margin back to 10 points at 33-23 at the halftime break.

After USD built a 37-23 lead at the 18:31 mark on a Yoerger basket, DSU rallied to within 39-32 at the 15:05 mark. However, USD had a 16-4 run over the next 5:03 to gain a 55-36 advantage at the 10:02 mark of the second half after Youngberg hit a jumper. The Coyotes increased the lead to 63-40 at the 6:04 mark following Yoerger's inside basket. After that, the closest DSU would get was at 67-51 with 2:28 to play in the game. DSU drew within 67-51 at the 2:28 mark.

The Coyotes close out 2006 with a nonconference game against Chadron State at noon on Dec. 31 at the DakotaDome.